Monday, July 7, 2014

To Run or Not to Run


Lately my running has been less than stellar. Since the Cleveland half, I honestly have had few pain-free runs, particularly in my right foot. Sometimes my arches hurt. Sometime it's my ankle. Lately it's my Achilles (but only during the last mile or cool down).

I've been taking it easy, so I hoped it would get better. My runs have been no more than 3 miles since the half and I rarely have been running two days in a row. But the problem isn't going away. This past Thursday my foot hurt so much from my Wednesday run that I bought a new pair of shoes. The Nike Frees I bought in April have always felt so tight that I don't even tighten the shoelaces. I just tie the laces as loosely as possible while still keeping the shoes on my feet. I was convinced they were the culprit. So on Thursday I bought the Saucony Kinvara 5. I love them so much. I've run in them twice and they are my new best friends, except at the end of a run when my Achilles starts acting the fool.

Why? Why do I feel great until the very end of a run? Am I tensing up without realizing it and screwing up my gait? Is 2.5 miles simply the breaking point for my right foot?

I'm very frustrated but also somewhat calm because at this point in my running life I know I can overcome an injury if I'm patient. I have had issues with my IT band, quad, groin, and so on, and they've always gone away when I address them. It still sucks though.

It especially sucks now because I wanted to run the Richmond Marathon in November. I decided after the Cleveland half that I was ready for the big leagues, but now I'm too scared to commit. When you sign up for your first marathon, you should at least be able to run 3 miles without feeling like your foot is stabbing itself. I mean, am I being too cautious?

I've decided I'll give it another week of rest. I'll do yoga which will hopefully strengthen and stretch my calves and I'll dabble in the elliptical if it doesn't hurt. If by next Monday my foot is still crying like a baby, I won't sign up for any races. I may even reluctantly see a doctor. 

Have you ever had issues with pain in the arches and/or Achilles? What worked for you? I need all the advice I can get!

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